Trials against Metropolitan Theodosius continue in Cherkasy

On December 25, 2025, the Prydniprovsky District Court of Cherkasy held a regular hearing in the case of Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv, who is charged with violating the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The accusation is related to the bishop’s sermon, which he delivered in support of the nuns of the Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary after its seizure in 2023.

According to the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC, the key point of the meeting was the speech of expert A. P. Stromylo from the Cherkasy branch of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. According to her, Metropolitan Theodosius violated Ukrainian law during his sermon addressed to nuns. This sermon was preached shortly after the events of 2023, when, according to representatives of the diocese, the Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was seized by OCU militants and the nuns were expelled. At the same time, expert Stromylo stated that there was no forceful seizure of the monastery.

Bishop Theodosius took part in the hearing online, as he is currently undergoing outpatient treatment. It is planned that the next court hearings with the participation of the same expert will be held on January 6, 12 and 20.

The case has a background related to the events of November 20, 2023, when, according to the diocese, people in military uniforms, in the presence of police and the SBU, seized the said monastery in Cherkasy. During this raid, cases of violence were recorded: elderly parishioners and priests reportedly suffered injuries, including broken jaws, legs and arms. The diocese emphasizes that despite the popularity of the names of the alleged perpetrators, they have not yet been brought to justice and no criminal cases have been filed against them.

Earlier, we reported that the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv, was discharged from the hospital and will continue his treatment on an outpatient basis. His health condition does not yet allow him to return to full-fledged public ministry, but the bishop expressed his deep gratitude to all those who provided him with prayer support during this period.